The number of generous folk joining the Methuselah Foundation’s Three Hundred in support of progress in longevity research has increased steadily in the latter half of 2007. The SENS3 conference and publication of Ending Aging – and resulting media attention – have lifted the trend still further. Many more people are learning that the scientific community can advance towards rejuvenating the elderly and enabling us all to living in good health for many more years than is presently possible. Of those people, more are stepping forward to make a difference.

Please welcome the newest members of the Three Hundred: Marco Zuniga, William Gilpin, Ifor Evans, Ric and Sheri Thistlethwaite, and Maciek Kolodziejczyk.

When discussing the possibility of life extension, the first objection I always encounter is its feasibility. With more work such as the efforts supported by the foundation, such concerns will wash away. However, there seems to be misgivings in the general public concerning the impact on society when life extension is viable and available. From my perspective such concerns are misguided. Life extension is one more example in which we can take control and define humanity by its possibilities, and not by its limitations. Supporting the foundation is a small contribution to the celebration of the human experience.

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The Death of a even a single Human, the involuntary quenching of a mind in the darkness, is the greatest of all possible tragedies. We are unique in Human history. We have a chance to end aging. How could one not contribute? I want to still be a part of the Human Race as it takes it\’s steps out into the Solar System and beyond. There is SO MUCH I have yet to learn, see and do.

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This is important. Life is precious. The future is bright.

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There are 56 million people dying every year, 150 thousand every day, two people every second. The wisest, the best, the most experienced leave us, often in painful conditions. This is tragic, sad and inhumane. I believe we can change it and each donation will speed up emergence of therapies to fight aging.

Thank you all for stepping up to the plate and helping to bring closer the day on which science triumphs over aging and the suffering and death it causes. There is no greater, more vital challenge facing us today, in this age of biotechnology, and I am always greatly cheered by the sight of people weighing in to help.